For the Record: Probationary teacher non-renewals

Non-tenured teachers who failed to win the backing of their principals
will receive notices by today telling them they will not be renewed at
their current schools. And some will be told they should not bother
reapplying at another school. Under a policy approved last June,
non-tenured teachers with unsatisfactory ratings or who are non-renewed twice will not be eligible to teach in CPS again. Non-tenured teachers who failed to win the backing of their principals will receive notices today telling them they will not be renewed at their current schools. And some will be told they should not bother reapplying at another school. Under a policy approved last June, non-tenured teachers with unsatisfactory ratings or who are non-renewed twice will not be eligible to teach in CPS again.

The Chicago Teachers Union opposes the policy and has filed grievances and a complaint with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, according to the CTU website.

Non-renewals in 2007: 775 of 7,000, or 11 percent

Non-renewals in 2011: 370 of 4,000, or 9 percent

The new policy was approved against the backdrop of a controversy involving tenured teachers. Last year, CEO Ron Huberman’s administration paid Nationally Board Certified Teachers screened teachers applying to teach for personality traits using short-answer essay questions, and then issued a designation of highly recommend, recommend, recommend with reservation or do not recommend. Officials point out that the designation was non-binding, but just an extra piece of information. However, some perceived this as a “do not hire” label.

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About Chicago Reporter

Founded on the heels of the civil rights movement of the 1960s, The Chicago Reporter confronts racial and economic inequality, using the power of investigative journalism. Our mission is national but grounded in Chicago, one of the most segregated cities in the nation and a bellwether for urban policies.